Botswana

A Journey into Africa's Untamed Wilderness

At African Wildlife Plains, we believe a Botswana safari is a journey into Africa at its most primal and untouched. This is a land of profound contrasts, where the trip to Botswana we design for you will reveal the continent’s greatest paradox: the life-giving waters of the Okavango River spilling across the sands of the Kalahari Desert. This annual miracle creates the world’s largest inland delta – the magnificent Okavango Delta, Botswana – forming the heart of an unparalleled safari experience.

This natural wonder is protected by a visionary “high-value, low-volume” approach to Botswana travel. By focusing on low-impact experiences and world-class accommodation, we ensure its wilderness remains pristine. The result is a safari of profound solitude and exclusivity, and our promise is that your luxury Botswana safari holiday will be a truly private adventure, far from the crowds.

Ready to embark on your next adventure?

Top Regions and Attractions

A Botswana safari is not a journey to a single destination, but a curated passage through a collection of distinct and complementary ecosystems. We find that the true magic of your trip to Botswana lies in combining these contrasting worlds – moving from the lush, life-giving wetlands of the north to the vast, arid landscapes of the Kalahari. Travel between these premier Botswana places to visit is often by light aircraft, an experience in itself that offers breathtaking aerial views of the immense wilderness unfolding below. Below, we introduce the iconic regions that form the cornerstones of the Botswana tours we craft.

The Okavango Delta

The River That Never Finds the Sea

The glittering jewel of Botswana, the Okavango Delta, Botswana is a 15,000-square-kilometer wetland paradise and one of the top Botswana places to visit. A safari in the Botswana Okavango Delta is a unique experience where you can glide silently in a mokoro canoe, explore palm-fringed islands on foot, and spot rare aquatic antelope and the endangered African wild dog.

Chobe National Park

An Elephant Empire

Famous for hosting the largest concentration of elephants on Earth, Chobe is the land of giants. The signature activity is a river safari on the Chobe Riverfront, offering breathtaking, water-level views of massive herds drinking and bathing. The remote Savuti Marsh area is legendary for its dramatic predator action, including lion prides known to hunt elephants.

Moremi Game Reserve

The Predator's Heartland

Covering the eastern third of the Delta, Moremi is a stunning mosaic of habitats renowned as the “predator capital” of Botswana. It supports one of Africa’s highest densities of lion, leopard, and cheetah, and is one of the most reliable places on the continent to see African wild dogs.

The Makgadikgadi & Kalahari

A Realm of Space and Stars

A landscape of immense scale and profound silence, the Makgadikgadi Pans are the remnants of a colossal ancient lake. This otherworldly expanse offers unique adventures like quad biking across the salt flats, walking with San Bushmen, and encountering habituated meerkats.

Botswana Wildlife

Where Giants Still Roam

Botswana’s incredible commitment to conservation has created a sanctuary for some of the continent’s most precious wildlife. On your Botswana safari with us, you’ll go beyond the classic Big Five, with unparalleled opportunities to seek out the full ‘Magnificent Seven’ and other rare specialists. Here are some of the iconic animals we’ll help you find.

African Elephant

Witness the world’s largest elephant population, especially the breathtaking sight of vast herds gathering along the Chobe River.

African Wild Dog

Botswana is a crucial stronghold for these endangered predators, and we know the best areas to track a pack on their high-speed hunt.

Lion

The lion prides here are legendary, with some in the Savuti region famously adapted to hunting elephants and even buffalo in the water.

Leopard

Our expert guides are masters at tracking this famously elusive and beautiful big cat, often found resting in the boughs of sausage trees.

Hippo & Crocodile

The waterways of the Okavango and Chobe are teeming with massive pods of hippos and some of Africa’s largest crocodiles.

Habituated Meerkats

In the Kalahari, we can introduce you to habituated meerkat families for an utterly charming and unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Red Lechwe

Look for this graceful, semi-aquatic antelope perfectly adapted to the wetlands, often seen bounding through the shallow floodplains.

At a Glance

Capital City

Gabarone

Official Language

English

National Language

Setswana

Currency

Botswana Pula (BWP)

Population

Approx. 2.5 million

Key Safari Airports

Maun (MUB), Kasane (BBK)

Fascinating Facts

A Land of Giants

Botswana is the ultimate sanctuary for African elephants, home to the world’s largest population, estimated at over 130,000.

The Meaning of "Pula"

The national currency, “Pula,” means “rain” in Setswana, reflecting the vital importance of water in this semi-arid country.

Travel Essentials

Visas

Citizens of the US, UK, and most EU countries do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. Passports must have six months validity.

Health

Malaria is a risk in the northern safari regions. Please consult a travel medical professional prior to your departure.

Luggage

Strict luggage restrictions apply on light aircraft flights, typically 15-20kg per person in a soft-sided duffel bag with no wheels or frame.

Getting There & Around The most common way to arrive is via Johannesburg (JNB) or Cape Town (CPT), with regional flights connecting to Maun (MUB) for the Okavango and Kasane (BBK) for Chobe. Most travel between the remote Botswana safari lodges is by small charter aircraft, offering spectacular aerial views.

Botswana Safaris

Journeys Crafted For You

We have crafted a selection of Botswana safari packages that showcase the very best of the country’s diverse landscapes and iconic wildlife. Browse our recommended Botswana travel packages below or contact us to design a custom journey entirely from scratch.

Boundless Romance 9 Nights Across Botswana's Greatest Reserves

7 - Night Luxury Botswana fly in safari

The Great Family Adventure Luxury Botswana Safari Experience

Activities & Experiences

Our Botswana tours are designed to be active, multi-faceted adventures that extend far beyond the vehicle. Our team curates a range of immersive activities suitable for every traveler, from adventurous couples to those planning unforgettable Botswana family holidays, ensuring every moment of your journey is memorable.

Water-Based Safaris

Land-Based Adventures

You will enjoy classic 4×4 game drives, thrilling off-road tracking, and exclusive night drives in private concessions to find nocturnal predators. Our expert guides will also lead you on immersive walking safaris to connect with the bush on a deeper level.

Unique & Cultural Experiences

Let us arrange an exhilarating quad bike adventure across the Makgadikgadi, or a respectful cultural walk with San guides to learn their ancient survival secrets – a truly humbling experience.

Best Time to Visit

We are here to help you decide on the best time to visit Botswana, as the experience changes dramatically between seasons. Your interests are our priority, so we have created this guide to help you choose the best time to visit Botswana for safari.

Dry Season (May - October)

Peak Game Viewing

This is the classic safari season. With sparse vegetation and shrinking water sources, wildlife is easier to spot as it concentrates around rivers and waterholes. The Okavango Delta flood is at its peak, and huge herds of elephants line the Chobe River. If your priority is seeing the highest density of big game, these are the best months to visit Botswana.

Green Season (November - April)

The Emerald Season

The summer rains transform the landscape into a lush, green paradise. This is the calving season, meaning lots of baby animals and opportunistic predators. It’s a photographer’s dream with dramatic skies and vibrant colours, and it’s the absolute best time for birdwatching. This period also sees the great zebra migration in the Makgadikgadi Pans.

What is the Best Month to Visit Botswana?

For sheer volume of animals, our experts recommend September and October, though it is very hot. For lush scenery and baby animals, we suggest January to March. For pleasant weather and great all-round viewing, June to August is ideal.

FAQ

Why is the Botswana safari cost higher than other destinations?

The average Botswana safari cost reflects the country's "high-value, low-volume" conservation model, a philosophy we wholeheartedly support. By limiting visitors, Botswana ensures your experience is exclusive. The Botswana safari prices include stays in Botswana luxury safari lodges we've personally vetted, expert guiding, and all-inclusive service, creating a high-quality adventure that also funds vital conservation work.

Is Botswana a safe country to visit?

Yes, absolutely. Botswana is one of Africa's safest and most stable nations. On safari, your safety is our highest priority. We work only with the most experienced professional guides who are experts in animal behaviour and safety protocols.

What kind of accommodation is available?

We partner with a handpicked selection of Botswana safari lodges, from intimate tented camps to opulent designer villas, renowned for their quality and remote locations. Whether in a private concession or a national park, the Botswana luxury safari lodges we use offer exceptional comfort and service.

What kind of luggage can I bring?

To ensure a seamless journey, we will guide you on the strict luggage requirements for the small charter flights between camps. The limit is typically 15-20kg per person in a soft-sided duffel bag with no wheels or frame.

Do I need to worry about malaria?

Your health is paramount. Malaria is a risk in the northern safari regions, so we join all health professionals in highly recommending that you consult your doctor well before your trip to discuss antimalarial medication.